“Fine. I’m sorry I didn’t know it was your birthday.”
This made me smile. “It’s okay.”
“I had no idea what to get you.”
“I like the idea of a honeymoon,” I said. “That sounds like fun.”
Ive nodded. “Is there anything you want?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know I had no intention of a honeymoon, but I was going to offer you anything you wanted.”
“I can have anything I want?”
“Yes, name it, it’s yours. It doesn’t matter the price or the time.”
“And we’re still going on a honeymoon?” I asked.
“Yes, Ivan insists on it.”
I looked at Ive then glanced away. Could I ask him for what I wanted?
“If you don’t know what you wantright away, don’t worry. Think about it, and let me know.”
He went to walk away and I just couldn’t let that happen.
“I know what I want,” I said. Damnit, I felt my cheeks heating even as I said it.
“What do you want?” he asked.
I opened my mouth, closed it. It was so stupid, but it wasthe only thing I could think of.
“I’d, er, I’d like you to kiss me.” I pressed my lips together.
“A kiss?”
“Yes, but not like on the cheek, I’d like a proper kiss, if you don’t mind. How you would expect to kiss your wife. One that you wanted.” I struggled to look him in the eye as I asked this.
When Ivan had told me I was going to marry Ive, I’d been terrified. Thesewere my kidnappers, but in a short time, I had gotten used to the idea. They hadn’t killed me. Even when my father had begged for them to do so. They hadn’t. In fact, they had made me comfortable, and showed me affection and care.
“You want me to kiss you?”
“Yes.” I nodded, trying not to feel embarrassed by my girlish request. “I’m not a child. I’m your wife, and I know I’m not like the Sophies of this world, but I would like to have a kiss from my husband.”
He took a step toward me, then another. I couldn’t help but wonder how many other people he’d approached, who’d been terrified. I wasn’t scared. The tip of his toes brushed across mine. I had no choice but to tilt my head back to see him. I liked looking at Ive, and the blue of his eyes.”Let me knowif at any point you want me to stop.”
He cupped my face. I loved the size of his hands. They were big, strong, sturdy hands, and they feltcapable. His thumb brushed across my lip, and I felt an answering call in my body. My nipples tightened and my flesh felt sensitive. He moved closer and I felt his breath fan across my lips.
This was a secret I hadn’t told anyone. I was attracted to my husband. No one knew. Not even Cassie, nor Ivan, but I had a feeling he already knew. When Ive had taken me, locked me up in one of his cages, and kept visiting me, I liked it and hadn’t wanted it to stop.
I was desperate for his kiss. Hungry for it.
Ive’slips pressed against mine. They were gentle at first, but with that one touch, I couldn’t help but moan, and my eyes closed. His lips were slightly damp, and I tasted the hint of whiskey. I’d gotten used to the scent as he drank it a few evenings. Never a lot, just one glass.
I felt his hand at my waist as he pulled me in closer. Another moan left me, and I kept my hands at my sides for as long as possible.
I needed to touch him, to feel him, and slid my hands up his arms, going toward his shoulders, holding onto them tightly. The hand at my waist went down toward my ass, and he squeezed the flesh. That felt so good, and I didn’t want him to stop. I heard his guttural moan, and I knew I was already addicted to this man.
My very first kiss. And I wanted more.
Was Cassie and Ivan right? All I had to do was ask?
Ive
“You need to get your wife a puppy,” Ivan said, taking a seat in my office. Rage was due to arrive any minute.
I’d woken up to knocking on the door. Cassie had arrived at exactly seven o’clock with the intention of spending the whole day with her sister. I had no idea Cassie was such a morning person. Charlotte hadn’t responded to the door, but I had, and seeing Cassie first thing in the morning wasn’t good for my mood. It had pissed me off.
I left the two sisters and made my way to my casino office, where Ivan was already waiting. He was in a chipper mood. It was rare for me to see him in any other kind of mood. I’d rarely seen him lose his temper.
“And you know this how?” I asked.
“Talking to your wife, of course. Did you know when she was younger, shefound a stray? Yeah, this dog made her so happy and she was going to keep it, but because her dad didn’t want her happy, he took it from her.”
My hands clenched into fists andI was tempted to swipe the contents of my desk onto the floor. Demon got an easy death. The more I learned about that man, the more I didn’t like him. Charlotte had been a mistake on our part, but I’m so fucking pleased we got her, and not Cassie. I have a feeling if Cassie had been taken, Charlotte would have paid the price.
Ididn’t want to think about my wife right now. Last night I had offered her anything her heart desired. I expected her to pick a shopping spree, or ask for credit cards, or to go traveling-anything. And she had asked for a kiss, not just any kiss, but a proper kiss between a husband and a wife. And that kiss had played in my mind since.